Kwara State Government confiscates suspected poisoned beef, fumigates, shuts abattoir

The Kwara State Ministry of Environment, North Central Nigeriap has temporarily shut the abattoir at Mandate Market in Ilorin to allow for fumigation and general cleaning of the area following suspected meat poisoning in the facility.

The Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Abubakar Ayinla said the steps are part of the efforts to protect members of the public following the incident.

According to him, the abattoir will be reopened on Wednesday stressing that the step is an update to the earlier report on the development at the popular Mandate Market.

The first statement, issued earlier today was that the state Government officials and experts arrived at the Mandate Market in Ilorin to activate measures to protect the public amid rumours of poisoned cow meat.

On the team were the Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Toyosi Thomas-Adebayo; Commissioner for Health Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam; officials from the Ministry of Environment, including the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency, Mrs Folorunsho Idayat, and officials from the Ministry of Health including the Permanent Secretary, Alhaja Afusat Ibrahim, and the Director of Public Health, Dr. Oluwatosin Fakayode, among others.

The government has immediately confiscated all the suspected meats for laboratory tests and confirmation of claims after initial engagements with the Mandate Market stakeholders.

The government therefore urged members of the public to be calm while the team establishes the truth of the rumour of poisoned meat. It also commended the leadership of the market for their cooperation so far.